A new dad who was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer at 29 years old has shared six symptoms he wished he'd paid more attention to when he had the chance.
TikTok user Joe Faratzis now works as an advocate for young people who are navigating cancer, after going through the experience himself under the age of 30.
He has now thankfully reached a point where there is no evidence of disease present, however, he continues to share insights, updates and information for people to raise awareness.
In one post on TikTok, Joe reflects on a number of symptoms he experienced before his diagnosis and encourages people not to avoid booking an appointment with the doctor if they experience any themselves.
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"Early screening could save you and your family from having to go through a cancer diagnosis," he says.
Constant sweating
Joe described experiencing 'constant sweating and night sweats' prior to his diagnosis; symptoms which the National Cancer Institute says are 'common in cancer patients and survivors'.
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Hot flashes and night sweats can be caused due to cancer treatment, however, Healthline notes they can also be an early symptom of some cancers.
If sweating is due to cancer, it will likely come along with other symptoms such as a fever or weight loss.
Abdominal pain and cramping
Different to a regular stomach ache, Joe recalled feeling pain in his lower-right abdomen, as well as cramping in his abdomen, mostly when he was bent over.
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According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, most colon cancer patients who go to their clinic describe a similar pain; an 'intermittent crampy feeling in their abdomen'.
However, some patients do not experience any pain at all.
Change in bowel habits and constipation
Joe recalled realizing that he was going to the bathroom more often prior to his cancer diagnosis, which is a common symptom of colon cancer.
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He also described experiencing constipation and cramps, which the American Cancer Institute notes as some of the changes that can take place due to colon cancer.
Patients may also experience diarrhoea or narrowing of the stool which lasts for more than a few days, as well as the feeling of needing to go to the bathroom, but not feeling relieved when you go.
Blood in the poo
Joe remembered seeing blood in his poo when he went to the bathroom; another symptom listed by the American Cancer Institute.
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Because colorectal cancers can often bleed into the digestive tract, it can make the stool look dark brown or black. Patients may also experience rectal bleeding with bright red blood.
Joe didn't immediately seek a doctor's advice when he experienced these symptoms, instead putting them off for 'months'.
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When he finally did get a colonoscopy, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer.
The tumor was originally believed to be localized, but it was later found to have spread to his liver and both lungs.
Over the next few years, Joe went through multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation before he was declared to have no evidence of cancer.
Emily Brown